Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes and Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics announced today the formal selection of an architect for the teams’ proposed new stadiums.
Lew Wolff, co-owner of the Earthquakes and A’s, said that sports venue design innovator 360 Architecture had been selected for both projects.
“During the past few years, 360 Architecture has worked closely with us as we have studied design alternatives and analyzed the feasibility of a new ballpark for the A’s and a new stadium for the Earthquakes, on a variety of sites,” Wolff said. “Under the leadership of Brad Schrock, the firm has demonstrated the ability to be an excellent steward for the two projects as they continue to move forward.”
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360 Architecture specializes in the planning and design of professional and collegiate sports facilities, from stadiums and arenas to training facilities and recreation centers. Recent notable projects by the firm include New Meadowlands Stadium. As design architect for the New York Jets and New York Giants, 360 Architecture created the only stadium to serve as the home field for two NFL teams as well as a preeminent venue for other sports and entertainment events.
360 Architecture is also the master planner and lead architect for Basra Sports City, a new, 360-acre mixed-use complex that Iraq is building as the host location for the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations soccer tournament. The $500 million initial phase of the project includes a 65,000-seat main stadium, 10,000-seat secondary stadium, and four training soccer fields, among numerous other facilities. In addition, the 360 Architecture-designed Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio, and BB&T Ballpark in Winston-Salem, NC, were named Ballpark of the Year by BASEBALLPARKS.COM for 2009 and 2010, respectively, beating out better-known, Major League ballparks including Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and Target Field.
“We are excited to bring to each project our passion for an innovative design that achieves success for the team and delivers an exceptional experience for their fans,” said Brad Schrock, senior principal at 360 Architecture.
The new stadiums are planned to be constructed privately, with no public money provided. The 18,000-capacity stadium for the Earthquakes will be built as an anchor and catalyst of a mixed use residential, retail, R&D and hotel development next to San Jose International Airport. The implementation of the proposed 32,000-seat A's venue is dependent on a decision from Major League Baseball, according to Wolff.
